Roofing Materials - What Are Your Choices?

Need to Find a Roofing Contractor? We Can Help:

Roofing Material Choices:
Whenever someone describes their home, they sometimes call it the "roof over their heads." That's because humans need protection from the elements - and your roof is that protection.

Your roof takes a beating. The roof of a house must withstand the power of rain, snow, hail, temperature changes, and the heat and light from the sun.

Throughout the ages, we have always used a multitude of materials to cover our homes. Grass, mud, wood, stone, you name it... it has served as the roof on a home. There are still many choices on what to use to protect your home. Roof Contractors have many quality materials to choose from, beyond the standard asphalt shingle.

When it's time to find a roofing company to install a new roof on your home, you'll have to decide what will work best for you, your home's style, and your budget. Some roofing materials are more durable than others. Some are more expensive. Some are the right fit and look for the type of home you own.

Asphalt Shingles
Most home have asphalt shingles (about 3/4 of the houses in the U.S.) They are very economical and durable, with some brands lasting 20, 30, or even 40 years. The warmer the climate (and more sun exposure), the fewer total years you can expect to get out of the shingle. If you live in Florida, your 20 year shingle will probably last between 13 and 15 years. Asphalt roofing shingles can be purchased in many forms: strip shingles, laminated shingles, or interlocking shingles.

Wood Shake Roofs
Another roofing option is wood shake (and wood shingle.) The most common are made of cedar and, with the right coatings, can be very durable and economical.

There are also fiberglass shingles which are laminated and very durable and can be made to duplicate the look of wood or slate shingles. Some brands of the fiberglass roof shingles are guaranteed for 50 years.

Many are going with slate, clay tile, or even concrete roofs. These can be extremely durable but also expensive. They also may require a heavy roofing infrastructure to hold the extra weight.

Metal Roofs
Another option are metal tiles, metal shingles, or metal shakes. They last a very long time and require virtually no maintenance. They're also very lightweight and can be installed over top of an existing roofing material.

If your home is in need of a new roof, you can use ConstructionDeal.com to help match you to a roofing contractor today. You'll save time and money by not having to search at random from your phone book.

By getting multiple bids from as many roofing contractors as you want, you get the right bid for your budget! Contact us today at 866-663-4711,

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How Long Should a Roof Last?

Need a New Roof? We Can Help:

If you're wondering about the life expectancy of your current roof, or even how long your new roof will last, once it is installed, you'll need to consider several factors:

• The Geographic Location & Climate of your House
  

• The Quality of Materials of your Roof
  

• The Style of Roof
  

Climate
If you live in a particularly warm and/or moist climate, you roofing material may not last as long as predicted. Heat and sun exposure can reduce the life of most asphalt shingle roofs - - and about 75% of all American homes use this material. In fact, they say that the only roofing material that gets the full life from the listing are houses in Alaska.

Climate and harsh weather do a number on roofs -- the sun and heat, as previously mentioned, are a major factor. So, too, are rain, snow, hail, sleet, and wind. Many parts of the country have more excessive weather and larger changes from season to season. All can affect how long your roof will protect your home.

Quality
There are inexpensive asphalt shingles that can be put on your home and very expensive tiles. You can have a cheap tin roof or a stylized and sturdy metal roof. But, in the world of roofing, what you spend affects what you get -- spend more for higher quality products and you'll need to have your roof replaced or repaired much less often.

It's also going to depend on the thickness and quality of insulation and backing paper that is used during installation. You can get a cheap roofing job done, but you're going to end up with a cheap roofing job as well.

Fiberglass shingles, for example, are stronger than organic shingles. They're more flexible to withstand weather changes. They are more expensive, too. Making sure that your roof installation includes the proper venting and flashing -- which can increase the budget -- will affect your overall results.

Metal and some tile roofs (especially concrete tiles) can last an extremely long time. You'll spend more for installation, but it's probably something you'll never have to worry about again.

Style
The pitch of your roof can be a factor. You can have a flat roof or an highly sloped roof (like on an A-frame house.) Homes in the Southwest may have a flatter roof because there's not as much need to ensure water and snow runoff. A flatter roof has a harder time getting rid of the damaging affects of moisture.

Most asphalt shingles can last from 12 to 30 years. Wood shake roofs from 10 to 30 years. Metal roofing can last from 50 to 100 years. Tile roofing is probably in that same range.

If you need to find a local roofing company to repair or replace your roof, contact ConstructionDeal.com to save time and money. Our network of is ready to come out to your house to give you a proper estimate.

Post your request, at no cost, and choose how many companies you'd like to contact you -- it's that easy.

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How To Find a Roofing Contractor

It's very important to make a plan for your roofing project. If it's time to replace or repair your roof, you'll want to make sure you have the right specialist for the project.

Using these tips can ensure your roofing job goes off without any problems or complications:

• First, find a local roofing contractor on ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to get multiple bids from roofing contractors in your area. At no cost.
  

• When you get calls from roofing companies, make sure they come out to your home to view the job before giving you a quote. There's no real way for them to give you a decent estimate without reviewing the structure and underlying materials on your roof. Get a bid, in writing, from at least 3 roofing contractors.
  

• Ask for and contact all the references provided by the roofing company. These references will let you know how well the company performed their duties and what to expect on your project. Keep in mind these references are all happy customers provided by the roofer. But it's important to validate that they are, indeed, happy clients and do really exist. And it's important to gather details and information they provide to get a feel for how well things will go for you.
  

• Make sure you are getting a warranty from the roofing materials manufacturer and also the roofing contractor.
  

• Talk with the contractor about the best materials to use for your application, your climate, and your house style. "You get what you paid for" usually applies to roofing materials. If you skimp on your roofing materials, you may need to have additional repairs and even a replacement sooner than the higher quality roofing products available today.
  

• Get a complete, detailed breakdown in your estimate so that you'll see how much money is being allocated for products, materials, and labor. Compare each estimate with the other to make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck.
  

• Installing or repairing a roof can be dangerous. Make sure your roofing contractor and any subcontractors are insured with both liability and worker's comp insurance.
  

• If your state requires it, make sure your roofing specialist has a license to perform the work on your home. It's the best way to make sure you're dealing with a professional from the beginning.

Keep in mind that problems do arise on any construction or remodeling project - the roofing company may discover problems that were not visible before work began. But by following these roofing tips, everything should work out and you'll have a roof that will last you many years.

Submit your project - at no cost - on ConstructionDeal.com. Talk with a roof contractor about your needs.

Good luck with your roofing job!

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Concrete Roof Contractors

If you're in the market for a new roof, you might want to look in to concrete roofing tiles. Going with a concrete tile to replace your worn out wood shake or asphalt shingle could mean that you'll never have to replace your roof again.

I bet you have a lot of questions...

Are they durable?
Some installers and manufacturers are giving 50 year warranties on their tiles. Others are even giving a warranty that will last the life of the structure. If the tiles are installed properly, there is no telling how long they can last. Concrete Roof Tiles are capable of withstanding wind, rain, sunlight, and just about anything else Mother Nature can throw at them.

Do they only come in gray?
Just because the name is concrete, it doesn't mean it has the look of concrete. The concrete tiles can come in a variety of colors and sizes. Some manufacturers are making them in blue, white, brown, orange, and other earth-tone colors.

Will the color fade?
There are pigments added to the mix during the creation of the concrete tile. Some color softening can occur over an extended period of time, due to the elements, but that color is embedded throughout the tile. The color won't fade but just about every other roofing material will fade over time.

Isn't Concrete a poor insulator?
Actually, it's quite good. When installed properly, it can provide excellent r-value due to the thickness of the tiles, the flashing and underlayment, and the cushion of air provided between the two. That circulation reduces moisture build up. The lighter colors of the concrete tile also help reflect sunlight which can reduce air conditioning bills.

How much does it cost?
Concrete tiles are more expensive than asphalt shingles. However, they will last longer than nearly any asphalt installation -- meaning that you'll need to replace your asphalt roof long before you'll ever need to replace the concrete roof tiles. You could end up paying twice as much for asphalt if you stay in your house for any length of time. The tiles are less expensive than a wood shake installation.

Can my roof support the weight?
Most residential and commercial structures can handle the weight. At most, the roofing contractor would need to brace the roof to handle it. It does weight significantly more than the asphalt shingles but if your building does need the extra support, the cost to add support is usually minimal. Consult your concrete tile roofing contractor to make sure your home is ready for concrete tiles.

Any other benefits?
The concrete roof tile is fireproof. It's got a top of the line fire safety rating. In fact, having a concrete roof could mean that your insurance rates could be lower - consult your insurance rep to find out if you could save on homeowner's insurance. Also, you won't need to do very much to maintain your roof. Finally, you certainly don't need to worry about termites or other pests doing any damage to your concrete roof.

In need of a replacement roof? Contact a concrete roofing pro to find out if this application will work for your home. Take a look at their samples to review colors and styles and you might just find that concrete will work for you. At ConstructionDeal.com, we've got a whole network of concrete roofing companies across the country.

It's fast, free and easy to find an expert in your neighborhood!

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